Archive for November 2011

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

I found this
pretty red burlap at Hobby Lobby the other day and couldn't resist
buying a couple of yards! It's perfect for a quick and easy Christmas
table runner with lacy snowflakes. I put this together in under half an hour! This tutorial
is for a 90" long runner, which fits my 56" long table beautifully. But you can adjust the length for your table by adjusting the main part of the runner. I'll also show you how to cut burlap so you don't have wonky edges!

Easy Burlap Snowflake Christmas Table Runner Tutorial

Supplies:
*2 yards burlap (I used red, but it would be cute in regular burlap or green, too!)
*Variety
of shapes and sizes of crocheted doilies (you can buy them at antique
shops or at JoAnn like I did. I've also heard you can find them at
dollar stores, although mine didn't have any)

1. Before starting, be sure that your burlap has been cut
straight. To do this, lay it out on your table and examine the cut ends.
If it's not, even it out. Here's a little trick I learned at the
cutting counter. To ensure your burlap is cut straight, pull a thread
where you want it cut. Pull it all the way out. This will leave a gap in
a very straight line that you can use as your cutting guide. Brilliant,
right? I had burlap cut at another store where they did not use this
method, and I was horrified at how badly it was cut! I lost a lot of
fabric trying to straighten it out.

Once
your ends are straight, cut your burlap to be 21" wide by 70". Turn the
raw edges under 1/4" and hem (so your edges won't fray, because they
will!).

3.
(Pretend I hemmed the raw edges before taking this picture!) Ruffle the
long edge by pulling a thread one inch from the top of the 13" side. Be
careful not to break it! When you're ruffled half of the length, pull
the same thread from the opposite end. Ruffle it to match the width of your main runner piece (about 20.5")

Pin your ruffles to each end, about 2" from the bottom.

Sew your ruffles on about 1/2" from top of ruffle. If you sew along the line where you pulled the thread, you should have pretty straight stitching!

4. Now for the fun part! Arrange your doilies on the runner. I left the center a little open since I will be putting a centerpiece there and they'll just get covered up anyway.

Using
fabric glue, dot glue on the back of the doily in the densest areas (so
it doesn't go through too many holes). Glue in place. Repeat for all
doilies.

Ta-da!
That's it! I just need to finish one more project and then I'll show it
to you again fully decorated. I love how cheery it makes my dining
area!

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I love Q-tips®
cotton swabs. I really do. We go through plenty of packages in our house. There are just so many uses for them! I recently received a package of Q-tips®
cotton swabs and the new Q-tips® Precision Tips™ to try out. I didn't even know there were precision tips, but they are fabulous! I have found so many uses for them.

One thing I love to use Q-tips®
cotton swabs for is my kids painting. My boys love to paint but sometimes it is hard for my littlest guy to get his hands to do the job. Q-tips® are the perfect size for his little fingers and it also helps him not to make such a huge mess!

These are also the perfect size to do some face painting! You can paint some great details using Q-tips®
cotton swabs since they have such small tips.

My favorite use for the Q-tips® Precision Tips™ is when I am painting my nails. I am horrible at painting my own nails and the precision tips are the perfect tool to get the extra paint mistakes off the sides of my finger. Love them!

There are so many other great uses for Q-tips® Precision Tips™ and Q-tips® cotton swabs. Here are some tips: -great for applying glue to models and arts and crafts projects. Use one tip to apply the glue and the other to remove any excess before it dries.-great for applying medications and ointments to minor cuts and bruises – they are convenient, clean and disposable.-an excellent alternative to using a makeup brush or sponge. They provide precise makeup application, are great for softening the bright colors, and safe for delicate skin around the eyes.-great for touching up paint or stains in your home. You can get into really small areas with them.

What do you use Q-tips® for? Visit the Q-tips® Facebook Pagewhere you can enter the Q-tips® Tip-a-Thon! To participate, you
simply need to share the ways you use Q-tips®
cotton swabs or Q-tips® Precision Tips™, and
you’ll be eligible for a chance to win* a $100 gift card or a grand prize worth
$1,000 (to be announced in December). How awesome would that be?

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Monday, November 28, 2011

One of the best things about blogging is being introduced to wonderful fellow bloggers and creative friends. We also get to pass those great discoveries onto all of you! Today, we have a great giveaway from a great etsy shop called UUPP.

UUPP, sells unique and customized art prints for home décor and gifts. I started my store UUPP, because of some difficult challenges that came my families way over the past few years. Being a creative person, I chose to channel my creativity into making art that made me smile and feel hopeful; uplifting quotes, yummy cupcakes, wisdom from Julia Child, things about life, laughter, faith. It helped me tremendously and it is so nice to ‘share’ this good energy with others. My work speaks through vintage papers, expressive typography, colorful patterns and textures, and occasionally some polka dots, just to be dangerous...
XOXO Carrie
Creator of UUPP

I just love that! We can all use some inspiration during life's tough times. And even on the good days! We all need to be reminded to stay focused on the positive.
Here are some great ones from the UUPP store.

And I think this next one is my favorite. I love it!

Today, UUPP is offering our readers the chance to win a $30 credit to the store! To enter you need to visit UUPP and find your favorite piece of art. Then come back and tell us what it is. For a second entry you can like UUPP on Facebook. This giveaway will end on Thursday, December 1, 2011 at 11:59pm PT.

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Okay, I said I wasn't going shopping on Black Friday, but I just couldn't resist the flannel sale at JoAnn! Check out what I picked up for less than $1 a yard! For that I will gladly drag my boys to a fabric store to wait in line for an hour and a half. So. Worth. It.

I did pick up a few things at Walmart.com at 2am, but what I've really been waiting for are the Cyber Monday deals. I've got new holiday tutorials this week, but in the mean time, here are a few crafty sales you should check out today. . .

If you missed my Black Friday sale on crochet patterns at Ravelry, it's back for Cyber Monday! Buy 3 patterns, get one free at my shop onRavelry.com. With Ravelry you can instantly download patterns after you pay, so you don't have to wait for me to e-mail them to you. You can also find all my new patterns in my Etsy shop.

PickYourPlum.com is going to do something it's never done before for Cyber Monday. There are going to be 9 products available at one time at amazing prices! You know, the kinds of things you can use to make cute {and cheap} Christmas gifts! Items will be posted at 6 am (MST) and will include some of the fastest selling products they've ever had at super duper pricing! Another great Cyber Monday deal--there will be one FLAT rate shipping on all
products all day. You can buy one or one hundred and it's the same
price--$3.95. Cool.

If you're planning a wedding, Cyber Monday is a great day to order save the date cards or invitations! Wedding Paper Divas if giving 15% off your order of $75 or more, or 20% off your order of $149 or more
plus free economy shipping. Use code: CYBER20 at the checkout.

So after you've got all the shopping out of the way, come back for some fun Christmas tutorials this week--I'm talking a table runner, more ornaments, wreaths, and more. I've been busy! ;)

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Thursday, November 24, 2011

I just wanted to take a break from doing dishes take a moment and wish you all a happy Thanksgiving! Jess and I are so thankful that we have so many wonderful readers
that allow us to share our ideas and be stay-at-home moms. What an
amazing blessing! Thank you for supporting our blog and our sponsors!

Here are my two little turkeys, sporting feather headbands we made while
the rolls were baking today. Each feather has something we are thankful
for. Believe it or not, my 8-year-old son came up with this crafty idea
for us! I am thankful that he loves to craft with me.

Are you heading out for some late night Black Friday shopping? I can't believe the stores keep opening earlier and earlier every year! I'm staying home this year, but you can bet I'll be shopping online. In case your Black Friday plans include shopping online, here are
a few amazing deals from our sponsors (and me) that you won't want to
miss on Friday!

My NEW Crochet Patterns
I just added my new winter line of crochet patterns to both my
Etsy shop and my new Raverly shop! The awesome thing about Raverly is
that you don't have to wait for patterns to be e-mailed to you--you can
download them instantly! I've loved their site for a while, but I
finally got around to loading my patterns for sale after I heard that
little tidbit. Here's a sneak peek of my new patterns (click on the picture to see more samples). . .And if you buy any three patterns in my Ravelry shop on Black Friday, you'll get one free! :)

So sweet on little girls from newborn to 4T!

The big girls and adult version of the Annie Cloche--a little more sophisticated.

A great unisex pattern! Without the flower this is an awesome boys' hat, and sizes range from newborn to 10 years!

This is the one all the girls in my family are getting for Christmas this year. This easy crochet scarflette is quick and easy, and you can wear it so many different ways!

Photo Canvas Deal
Another fabulous deal makes a perfect gift for parents, grandparents, a spouse, or yourself! Canvas People are offering their photo canvas prints at the best deal ever: get a FREE 8x10 (just pay shipping), or get $55 off any other size canvas. I bought this one last year and was so glad that I upgraded to a larger size (this is the 11x14).

Silhouette Machine and Accessories
If you've checked out any of our Silhouette projects and wished you had a Silhouette, Black Friday is going to be the best day to buy one. Their new Cameo machine cuts up to 12x12 (whimper--I wish I could upgrade!) for an awesome discount if you use this secret link. And if you use our special coupon code, you can get 40% off the rest of their products on Black Friday! Everyone else is only getting 30% off, but a few select blogs got codes to use for any extra 10% off! Be sure to enter LITTLEBIRDIE at checkout to get the best deal on vinyl, replacement mats, rhinestone sets, etc. And don't forget--all shapes are half off for Black Friday!!

Of course you can't go wrong with a cute apron! And I'm not just talking Christmas gifts--I'm talking for yourself! You're the one doing all that holiday cooking, right? Flirty Aprons' Black Friday deal is 40% off any purchase if you use code BLACKFLIRTY.Hello, that is pretty spectacular! I am loving this new Christmas one--Mistletoe! It comes in green, too!

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Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Are you getting ready for Thanksgiving today like I am? My kids are out of school already, so I'll be looking for things to keep them busy while I bust out the best yams ever, a pumpkin pie, and a batch of my famous rolls. Busy day, but it will make Thanksgiving day so much more enjoyable!

My cute friend Kerri is one of those moms who has a true talent for mothering. There are so many good moms out there, but I think most of us have to work at it A LOT. She is one of the few for whom it seems to come totally naturally (at least that's how it seems to me--she might have a different opionion!). But one thing I love that she does is craft with her girls--all 5 of them! She was so generous to share a few fun Thanksgiving crafts so the rest of us don't have to try so hard for once. Thanks, Kerri!

Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids

Nature Hunt Banner
In preparing for Turkey Day the girls and I love to make this
banner...we're going on the 4th year in a row. Super fun and a great way
to involve your kiddos in Thanksgiving decorating!

You need:

Twine string or ribbon to hang your banner with

Hot glue gun

Scissors

Construction paper

(or any paper you think would look cute--you could use scrapbook paper in fall colors)

You start by going on a scavenger
hunt in your yard or the park or mountains searching for things to
create your letters with...once that's done head home and get creative!

I had previously drawn the letters on the paper to make it easier for my children to create.
Use scissors to cut down your items and the glue gun to stick them on. I
have used tacky craft glue and it works fine just takes a bit longer to
dry but is more kid friendly. Using the glue gun is usually my job.

When
you are done hang the letters on your twine or string either with
clothes pins or by folding the top of the paper down 1/2" and tapping
over the twine. This is my first year using clothes pins and I kind of
like it!

Here
is some of the individual creativity...I love how fun they turn out
notice the crab apple on top of the pine cone for the letter I. And the accent on the letter A.

Painted Pumpkin Rock Place Cards

Another
fun fast kid craft...painting pumpkin rocks we might just use these for
these for thanksgiving "place cards."

You will need:

Rocks

Orange paint
( I used tempera washable just because I have young children who tend to
get messy!)

Twigs

Paint your rocks orange. Select a twig cut it to
size and glue gun it on and voila--Thanksgiving decor! Or write a name on each rock with a marker and use it on your Thanksgiving table!